MIT Edgerton Center Maker Resources for K-12 Educators MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  Makerspace Resources for K-12 Educators
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Maker Project Tutorials

Tutoriales en español
​Get Making with these tutorials and starter projects - no academic content tie-ins required!

Starter projects are great ways for teachers to develop a project workflow while their students are introduced to new technologies. The projects highlighted here are good for beginners and most can be done in less than an hour. They are well-suited for family nights, open houses, faculty meetings, PD days, and other Maker-minded community events. 

Looking for more? Check out our Webinars, Instructables, and Idea Gallery!

3D Print Hacks in Tinkercad

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Design expressive 3D creations quickly using existing online models and shapes. Little to no experience with Tinkercad is needed!

Tutorial slides

Other Resources
Video Tutorials
3D Printing Design rules
Tinkercad Crash Course for Makers
Finding good models to print on Thingiverse

Tools
tinkercad.com - Free, intuitive 3D CAD
thingiverse.com - huge collection of 3D objects
Scan the World - collection of 3D scans of art and artifacts from around the world

Shadow Casters

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Cast unique and interesting shadows using a hand fabricated LED projector, and custom shadow caster shapes.
Tools and materials
Template for Base and Support pieces
Cardboard or chipboard
Copper tape with conductive adhesive
Binder clips (mini, not painted)
Coin cell batteries, such as CR2032
LEDs, any color
Scissors, craft knives
White cardstock or vellum
Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf
​
Build guide pdf
 

3D Models from 2D Materials

Make-Along Video
Set your own pace as you work through each chapter of this video tutorial.
Jump to chapters
00:00 introduction
02:24 materials
02:55 design and test
07:26 transfer to materials and construct
​10:08 why we love this project
Tools and materials
graph paper
​Tape
pushpins
Scissors
Cardstock and/or cardboard
Pencil
Plastic ruler

Pro tools - optional
Cutting Mat and Craft knife and Metal ruler
Tutorial PDF (with example templates)

Festive Flashlights

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​Shine some light on a customizable cut-out figure with this festive electronics project. Make an LED flashlight, a reflector, and a symbol out of easy-to-find materials. Your symbol will come to life as the reflected light washes over it. 
Tools and materials
color-changing (or any) LED
craft stick (jumbo, 6 inch x 3/4 inch)
small binder clip
1/4 inch copper tape
coin cell battery
aluminum foil
tape or glue
plain or light-colored cardstock
​scissors


Pro tools - optional
Cricut, Silhouette or other craft/vinyl cutter
Instructions (printable pdf)​
Instructable (detailed step-by-step guide)


LED Quiz Boards

Make-Along Video
Set your own pace as you work through each chapter of this video tutorial.

Jump to chapters
00:00 introduction
00:38 materials
02:02 brainstorm quiz content
02:55 design and sketch
05:31 illustrate board
06:59 connect wiring
08:35 create styluses
​10:17 why we love this project
Tools and materials
6 LEDs
coin cell battery
stranded wire, red and black, 3’ each
12 Small wire nuts
2 paper clips
12 brass paper fasteners 
2 popsicle sticks
Wire strippers
9" x12" sheet of cardboard
tape 
scissors
pushpin or safety pin 
craft materials: colored paper, markers, pens, etc.

Snappy Rings

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Get started with Tinkercad and 3D printing by designing a custom interchangeable snap-on ring.
Tools and materials
3D Printer and filament
Tinkercad
Misc. Arts+Crafts materials
Sealing Wax (optional)
Instructable
 

Felt Funsters

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Use conductive thread to light up some crafty creations! The stuffies are made from felt, hand-sewn with yarn, then stuffed with polyester fluff. Add at least one LED that lights up when the battery pack is turned on.
Tools and materials
soft felt
LED sequins
3V coin cell battery, CR2032
battery holder with on/off switch
conductive thread
yarn (weight 3 or 4)
embroidery needles with big eyes
polyester stuffing (“polyfill”)
scissors
markers
craft materials for decorations: googly eyes, pipe cleaners, feathers, sequins, etc.
Optional: tacky glue for decorations

Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf

Light-Up Etched Acrylic Displays

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Express yourself with a light-up acrylic display! This inexpensive and easy project is a great starter project for a makerspace and will help new makers get familiar with simple electronics, image processing, and using the laser cutter.
Tools and materials
Birch plywood sheet, ⅛” thick
Clear Acrylic sheet, ⅛” thick (Cast is preferable to extruded)
LED strips - 12V, single color or RGB (not addressable LEDs / Neopixels), (such as https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NATWJ49, the 12V strips run on 9V)
Stranded wire 24 AWG 
9V Batteries
Battery snaps
Brass fasteners - 1”
Soldering and wiring tools
Laser Cutter 
​
Graphics design app (Google Draw, Vectr.com, Inkscape, etc.)
Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf

Instructable (detailed step-by-step guide)

Scratch for Makers

Make-Along Video
Set your own pace as you work through each chapter of this video tutorial.
Jump to chapters
00:00 Introduction/Why we love Scratch
02:08 Scratch for Makers - Navigating the Website
​​05:20 Make your own Scratch program
Tools and materials
Computer with internet access 

Guides and FAQs
Teacher Account FAQ
​
Teacher account guide pdf
Reccomended Scratch tutorials:
  1. Getting Started
  2. Animate a Character
  3. Create a Story
  4. Talking Tales
  5. Record a Sound 
Try out your new skills!
Create your own story or animation that uses 2 or more of these elements:
  • 2+ Sprites
  • 2+ Backgrounds
  • A costume change
  • Text to Speech
  • Recorded Sounds
  • Sprite Motion
Tutorial slides
Tutorial slides pdf

Graphics Techniques for Makers

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Prepare Learners to process graphics and images for laser cutting, 3D printing, and vinyl cutting applications.
Tutorial slides
​Tutorial pdf

Box Automata

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Build a robust hand-crank automata model with simple materials and tools. Explore cam-action concepts, create unique scenes and characters or retell a tale, and have fun!
Tools and materials
Wood dowels, ¼” diameter, about 24” total
1 plastic straw, ¼” inside diameter (Dunkin Donuts large straw size)
Small cardboard shipping box or shoe box
Pencil
Cardstock or sturdy paper
Craft materials to (create the characters and scenery)
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Cutter such as diagonal cutter or wire snips
​Optional: Utility/craft knife
Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf
 

Paper Lanterns

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​Set the mood in your classroom, or for warm summer nights, with paper lanterns. Cut out shapes or text on any kind of paper, and fold it up into a bag.  Then illuminate it with light from inexpensive LED tea-lights. You will learn vector art techniques and how to create the lanterns on a Cricut or other craft cutter.

Don't have a Cricut or other cutter at home or at school? Don't sweat it... you can follow along and do the design steps for this project - there's plenty to try even if you can't cut and  assemble a lantern.
New to Cricut? Start here!
Cricut has a collection of learning resources at learn.cricut.com. Browse the site, or check out some of these  highlights:
  • Learning Library - a collection of downloadable PDFs featuring vocabulary, tool types, and more.
  • Design Space Tour - get to know the Cricut software
  • Machines - introduction videos to the current Cricut lineup
  • Make a vinyl decal - walkthrough the steps to design and cut a sticker

For Silhouette brand cutters, try their official Silhouette101 site.
Project resources
This project was featured in a live webinar in collaboration with the MIT Museum. After reviewing the tutorial slides, if you feel stuck you can watch the recording.

Tutorial slides - Cricut cutters
​Tutorial Slides - Silhouette cutters

Tutorial pdf

Cricut design template links
Luminary template with scored fold lines
Luminary template with small cuts on fold lines

Silhouette design template files
Luminary template with small cuts on fold lines

.svg template files
lantern-template-plain.svg
lantern-template-jagged.svg
Materials
Kit:
colored paper
LED tea light
tissue paper

You provide:
tape 
Cricut, Silhouette or other craft/vinyl cutter

Craft Foam "Rubber" Stamps

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Shapes cut from foam sheets become the part of the stamp that’s traditionally made with rubber. Glue the foam to a block of wood, press it onto an ink pad and make your mark wherever you like!
Tools and materials
Craft foam sheets
Wood blocks/etc to mount stamp
Inkpads
White glue
paper to stamp on
Cricut or other vinyl cutter
Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf

Custom Molded Rubber Stamps

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Use Tinkercad to design and 3D print a mold with unique shapes to create rubber stamps out of reusable casting material
Tools and materials
Tinkercad
Reusable casting material (such as ComposiMold)
Microwave and microwave-safe dish
Glue or double-sided tape
Washable ink pads or diluted acrylic paint

Optional:
Wooden blocks for stamp bases
(The back of the mold also works well as a sturdy base)
Tutorial slides
​Tutorial pdf

Candy Casts

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Design and create molds for pourable candies, crayons, and figurines. The molds are typically quick to print, minimizing 3D printer time. 
Tools and materials
Sketch paper and pencils
Tinkercad
3D Printer and filament
​
Food-safe, fast set, Silicone molding compound (e.g. “Easy Mold” by Castin’ Craft. A one pound kit costs ~$30 and can be used to make about 12 - 16 molds for 1.5” square candy)

For candy: Colored candy melts or chocolate suitable for melting

Lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks

For non-edible figurines: hi-temp hot glue, candle wax pellets, crayons, or plaster

Electric skillet and/or pot, slow cooker, or chocolate melter
Instructable (detailed step-by-step guide)

Custom Laser-cut Mirrors

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Learn beginner and advanced  graphics techniques for laser cutters while designing and making custom mirrors.
Tools and materials
acrylic mirror sheets (around 1/8" thickness)
Laser cutter
Tutorial slides
​Tutorial pdf

Personalized Rulers

Picture
 Use Tinkercad to design bespoke rulers with custom units and features. The rulers can be designed for fabrication on a 3D printer, or with a laser cutter or vinyl/craft cutter.
Tools and materials
3D Printer and filament
Laser cutter and wood or plastic sheet
Vinyl/craft cutter and cardstock paper
Instructable ​(detailed step-by-step guide)
 

Videos with Google Slides

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Use Google slides to create your own animated videos, complete with audio. An effective way to share knowledge in a remote learning environment.
Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf

Interactive Slides

Leverage familiar tools to create interactive presentations with audio.
Tutorial slides
Tutorial pdf

Virtual Homemaker

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Group Icebreaker activity that works wonderfully in remote learning environments. Make a copy of our slides or find your own fun gifs and make your own!
Activity slides template
Looking for more? Check out our Webinars, Instructables, and Idea Gallery!

More Starter Ideas

While not full tutorials, these starter project links and write-ups can be easily adapted for use in any Makerspace!
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Tealight 3D Scenes
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Emotion Emojis
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Shadow Scenes
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Custom 2D art on a 3D Printer
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Laser-cut Picture Frames
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Custom Coins and Medallions

Contact Us

Step-by-Step guide to running a Makerspace
Materials for Workshop Participants
​​Recursos en Español
About Us
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K-12 Maker Lab at the MIT Edgerton Center © 2024 by MIT Edgerton Center is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
  • Home
    • Getting Started >
      • What is Making?
      • Types of Makerspaces
      • Goals
    • About Us
    • Contact
  • Teacher PD
    • Maker Project Workshops
    • Webinars
    • Master Making in the Classroom
    • Maker PD Packages
    • Invention Ed
    • Workshop Materials
  • Create Projects
    • Project Tutorials
    • Maker Methodology
    • Idea Gallery
    • K-12 Maker Instructables
    • Special Programs >
      • Aprendo Creando >
        • Presentaciones
      • FullSTEAM
    • DIY Pinball
  • Run a Makerspace
    • Design Guide
    • Facilities and Storage
    • Maker tools
    • Training and Supervision
    • Staff, Hours and Scheduling
    • Events and Growth
  • Maker Tools
    • Shop Tools and Materials
    • Electronics
    • Physical Computing
    • 2D Design Software
    • Vinyl/Craft Cutters
    • Laser Cutting
    • 3D Design Tools
    • 3D Printing
    • Photo and Video
    • Sewing
  • Articles and Books